The 2026 Western States Regional for Girls & Women is set to take place on April 4–5, 2026. This exciting event will be hosted at the Country Inn & Suites in Bothell, Washington, bringing together female players of various skill levels for a weekend of competitive chess and community building.
Tournament Sections and Formats
The event offers three distinct sections tailored to different experience levels:
Megan Lee Championship: A 5-round tournament held over 2 days with a time control of G/60 +30. This section is official for FIDE, USCF, and NWSRS ratings.
Divya Deshmukh U1300: A 5-round section held on Saturday only with a time control of G/40 +5 (USCF and NWSRS rated).
Carissa Yip U800: A 4-round section, also on Saturday only, with a faster time control of G/25 +5 (USCF and NWSRS rated).
Prizes and Registration
Participants will compete for a guaranteed $1,500 cash prize pool. The top three overall finishers will receive:
1st Place: $400
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $200
Registration is currently open at nwchess.com. The entry fee is $55 for early registration and $65 for late entries.
Special Events and Workshops
Beyond the main tournament games, the event features several engaging activities for participants:
- A workshop for girls and women that includes free pizza.
- A simultaneous exhibition (Simul) with the Women’s Champion.
- A puzzle-solving competition to test tactical skills.
The event is supported by Washington Chess, US Chess Women, and My Chess World, reinforcing the commitment to growing the game among female players in the region.
